The Toronto Raptors head into Washington trying to make it 2-0, and their first road test of the season comes against a Wizards team still sorting itself out after a busy start to the year.
To get a better read on where Washington stands, we checked in with Washington Wizards On SI publisher Henry Brown. His outlook centered on the same two headliners that are starting to define this version of the Wizards: Anthony Davis and Trae Young.
Davis still looks every bit like an All-Star in year 15. Against the Milwaukee Bucks, he was able to score and rebound almost whenever he wanted, and Washington is leaning on that kind of production to steady the rest of the roster.
The difference now is that he is not carrying the load alone. He and Young are both in full-time roles, giving the Wizards two proven scorers who can also handle playmaking duties and keep the offense from becoming too one-dimensional.
That setup matters because Washington’s younger pieces are still being developed around them. Players such as Kyshawn George, Justin Champagnie and Bilal Coulibaly are expected to provide the kind of two-way support that can swing a game against a tougher opponent like Toronto. If the Wizards do pull off the win, it figures to come through that depth, with those wings and helpers turning defense into transition offense.
The bench group is part of that equation too. Reserve guards Tre Johnson and Bub Carrington had a rough shooting night in the opener, and Washington went just 6/28 from 3-point range. A few more of those open corner looks dropping would go a long way toward making the Young-led offense look cleaner and more dangerous.
One major absence looms over Friday’s game: AJ has been ruled out, leaving fans around the league waiting a little longer to see the reigning No. 1 pick show off the burst and finishing touch he flashed in the preseason.
Still, the Raptors arrive with the kind of defensive wing depth that makes this a difficult matchup. Kawhi Leonard and Scottie Barnes can both match Young and Davis as creators when needed, and Toronto’s rotation looks built to make life uncomfortable for Washington’s younger players. Brown didn’t sound bullish on the Wizards’ chances, and a 127-112 Raptors win would hardly be a surprise.
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Allen Graves Had A Very Toronto Moment Before His NBA Debut
Allen Graves first night in the NBA came with all the Toronto trimmings. In his debut against the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 21, the Raptors rookie chipped in five points, five rebounds and three blocks in 19 minutes, but what stood out just as much was the setting around him. Graves called the experience of playing in front of a sold-out crowd and hearing the national anthem a significant moment, the kind of arrival that makes a debut feel bigger than a box score.
And for a player taking his first professional steps, Toronto supplied a scene he wont forget soon. Drake was courtside, adding another unmistakably local layer to the night, and Graves said he felt the support of family and friends after the game. For a rookie trying to settle into the league, it was a reminder that his first NBA memory in this city came with plenty of noise, attention and the sort of atmosphere that makes Toronto feel different from anywhere else. [Read more 🡒]
Raptors Draft Miss Just Raised A Bigger Question For Toronto
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Allen Graves has added another layer to that discussion ahead of the 2026 draft. He is viewed as a more versatile prospect, which makes him look like the sort of player Toronto may value more highly now than it did when it bet on shooting first. For a team still sorting out how to build its next core, the real issue is not just whether Graves can help, but whether the Raptors have already learned enough from the Dick pick to change how they evaluate the next one. [Read more 🡒]
JaKobe Walters Steal Goal Is Turning Into A Raptors Challenge
JaKobe Walter did not waste time making his presence felt in the season opener, coming away with three steals as the Raptors opened the year with a strong defensive showing against the Bulls. The win was built around pressure, activity and a willingness to turn possessions into transition chances, with Toronto forcing turnovers and making Chicago work for every clean look.
Walter has said he wants to lead the NBA in steals in his third season, and that is the kind of ambition that fits a team already deep in disruptive defenders. Kawhi Leonard and Scottie Barnes also bring serious value on that end, which means Walters chase is not just about individual numbers. It is about carving out enough of a role in a defense that already has plenty of players willing to take the ball away. [Read more 🡒]